Introduction of Smart Materials: The Art to Outrival Technology

Smart materials are the name given to materials that can alter their properties on the application of external stimuli. Devices using smart materials might replace more conventional technologies in a variety of fields. Smart materials are attractive due to their lightweight, sensing capability, lower component size, and complexity combined with design flexibility, functionality, and reliability. A smart material is an object which is susceptible to undergoing a material property change and shows a visual and tangible reaction to external stimuli. Proper execution of smart materials will provide a level of environmental robustness that is not easily achieved through conventional technologies as they are susceptible to the influences of nature. One concept which includes the futuristic application of smart materials is the utilization of smart materials in the transportation sector using shape-memory alloys and piezoelectricity. Although the applications of smart materials are far-reaching, a greater dependency on them is prevented by certain drawbacks that need to be addressed if utilization of smart materials is to be accomplished, such as system compatibility, availability, cost, delicateness, decreased performance over time, difficulties with integration and toxicity. 

Keywords: Conductors, Insulators, Piezoelectric, Self-Healing, Smart Materials.